Modular Magnetic Tracking Circuit Boards

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for tracking and determining the location of magnetic objects require larger sensing volumes, leading to increased costs, complexity, and poor applicability due to the use of single large-format printed circuit board assemblies.

Innovation Solution

A modular assembly and system design using processing, connecting, and sensing circuit boards, allowing for easy expansion by adding or removing modules, such as sensing and connecting circuit boards, to create a flexible and customizable sensing area without changing the entire architecture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of stationary object

If a single large-format printed circuit board assembly is used to provide a larger sensing volume, then the sensing volume is increased, but the manufacturing cost increases, device complexity increases, and applicability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing volumeVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The assembly is divided into multiple separate circuit boards (processing circuit board, connecting circuit boards, sensing circuit boards) that can be independently manufactured and then coupled together. This segmentation allows each board to be produced using standard manufacturing processes rather than requiring a single large-format PCB, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while achieving a larger overall sensing volume when the boards are assembled together.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of stationary object

If a single large-format printed circuit board assembly is used to provide a larger sensing volume, then the sensing volume is increased, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing volumeVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The assembly is divided into multiple separate circuit boards (processing circuit board, connecting circuit boards, sensing circuit boards) that can be independently manufactured and then coupled together. This segmentation allows each board to be produced using standard manufacturing processes rather than requiring a single large-format PCB, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while achieving a larger overall sensing volume when the boards are assembled together.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Area of stationary object

If a single large-format printed circuit board assembly is used to provide a larger sensing area, then the sensing area is increased, but applicability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing areaVSAvoidapplicability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The assembly is divided into multiple separate circuit boards that can be independently manufactured and then coupled together. This segmentation allows each board to be produced using standard manufacturing processes rather than requiring a single large-format PCB, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while achieving a larger overall sensing volume when the boards are assembled together.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular architecture with connecting circuit boards enables dynamic reconfiguration and scaling of the sensing area. Additional sensing circuit boards can be coupled to existing assemblies to expand the sensing volume for different applications, making the system adaptable and versatile rather than fixed in a single large-format configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The modular design reduces manufacturing costs, improves applicability, and enhances tracking accuracy by sharing magnetic field measurements between assemblies, especially during transitions, thus extending the sensing volume efficiently.

Implementation Method 1

The provision of a plurality of magnetometers allows to measure a magnetic field associated with a magnetic object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field measurement: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP4575588A1Large scale magnetic tracking
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 ADVANCED MAGNETIC INTERACTION (AMI)
  • EP4575588A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4575588A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4575588A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An assembly (10) for tracking and/or determining a location of at least one magnetic object (20) comprises a processing circuit board (110), at least one connecting circuit board (120), and at least one sensing circuit board (130) comprising at least one magnetometer (140). The at least one connecting circuit board (120) is mechanically and communicatively coupled with the processing circuit board (110), and the at least one sensing circuit board (130) is mechanically and communicatively coupled with the at least one connecting circuit board (120).